We have had requests from a number of our friends to present some very simple lessons concerning the Church of this Dispensation of Grace, which is called the “Body of Christ”, and the relation of other Dispensations to the “Dispensation of the Mystery”. Ephesians 3:9 .
We appreciate that this is not an easy task, for the reason that the great majority of Christians do not seem to have the interest or desire to diligently study the Word of God with open hearts and unprejudiced minds. It is almost impossible for loyal denominationalist, (whether they be Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, etc.), to be as the Bereans, and accept as truth that which is contrary to their denominational creeds and the traditions of church fathers. But we are sure going to try in this 3 part message to present very simply some plain facts clearly taught in the Bible.
1) IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES WE ARE TAUGHT THAT THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS CHOSEN BY CHRIST TO BE THE APOSTLE, THE PREACHER, THE TEACHER, THE WITNESS, AND THE PRISONER OF THE LORD JESUS TO THE GENTILES. Galatians 1:16, Galatians 2:7, Acts 9:15, Romans 15:16, Romans 11:13, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11, Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:8, Colossians 1:24-28.
2) The Apostle Paul was NOT one of the twelve apostles who companied with Jesus during the years of His ministry on earth, and therefore was NOT present with Christ on earth when Christ committed to Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 16:16-18. Neither was he present with the twelve apostles, after the resurrection of Christ, when the Eleven received from the resurrected Christ, the Great Commission. The Apostle Paul received his “Grace of Christ” message, the Ministry of Reconciliation, the Uncircumcision Gospel, the truth concerning the Mystery and the Body of Christ, in fact all of his commissions, by visions and revelations, AFTER Christ had gone back to heaven. Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:12, Galatians 1:17, Acts 22:17-21, Ephesians 3:3, and 2 Cor. 12:17.
3) IN EPHESIANS 1:22-23 WE READ OF THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY. IN COLOSSIANS 1:24 WE READ “FOR HIS BODY’S SAKE, WHICH IS THE CHURCH”. THE EPISTLES TO THE EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS WERE WRITTEN AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS, WHEN PAUL WAS A PRISONER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Ephesians 3:1. NO OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET EVER FORETOLD ANYTHING CONCERNING THE BODY OF CHRIST. IT WAS PURPOSED IN CHRIST BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
4) When the twelve apostles were sent by Christ on earth they were specifically instructed to, “go not unto the Gentiles”, but ONLY unto Israel. Matthew 10:5. Some years after the death and resurrection of Christ it was decided in the conference of Apostles that the Twelve would preach the Israelitish Gospel to ISRAEL. Galatians 2:9. Peter preached to the household of Cornelius, a God-fearing, Israel-loving, devout, respectable, religious Gentile, who lived in Israel’s land. But there is NO record in Acts that he preached to any other Gentiles. There is NO record in Acts that any of the Twelve preached outside of the land of the Jews, or to any Gentiles, except the one message to Cornelius. The Apostle Paul was given the responsibility of preaching Grace to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:9.
To Be Continued in part 2.
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry
Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
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